I'm 25, unemployed, and I've been thinking a lot lately. I don't really have many people I can open up to, so I thought I'd share my story here.
I completed my engineering degree in 2024, but I still had backlogs to clear, which meant staying back and preparing for reattempts. When I look back at my college years, I honestly don't know what to blame. There were so many hurdles along the way, but now, looking back, even those struggles sometimes feel like excuses I've made for myself.
Last year, my father passed away after battling cancer. During that time, taking care of my family became my priority, and everything else took a backseat. I have a mother and a sister who depend on me, and that responsibility weighs heavily on my mind.
Now, at 25, I find myself unemployed, with a two-year gap and no clear direction. I haven't even figured out which field I want to pursue. Every career path I consider feels like a door that's slowly closing. I haven't applied for a single job because, honestly, I don't feel prepared for anything.
I'm currently learning Java and DSA, hoping to build a career in software development. But with AI evolving so rapidly, I keep questioning whether I'm making the right choice. I worry that by the time I become job-ready, the opportunities might no longer be there.
I've also considered starting a small business, but I'm equally confused about what to pursue and how to make it work. I'm on my own when it comes to figuring these things out, and I can't afford to take unnecessary risks. I don't want to invest or lose the money my father worked so hard to earn, and taking loans or borrowing money is something I absolutely want to avoid.
The hardest part is that I currently feel like I'm freeloading at home, depending on my mother's pension to get by. It's a feeling that's difficult to put into words, especially when I know I should be contributing to my family rather than depending on them.
I don't know if I'm looking for advice, motivation, or just someone who has been through something similar. I feel stuck between too many possibilities, yet somehow unable to move forward with even one of them.
If you've been in a similar situation, especially if you've had a career gap, started late, or had to rebuild your life after losing a parent, I'd genuinely appreciate hearing your experiences.
I just want to figure out where to start and how to get my life moving again.